Note: This post is originally from our partner website, Healthascope. It can also be read in its entirety here.
How do we protect ourselves from air? We’re breathing it in constantly! Beside that, what’s the problem? If I’m not on a street corner or next to a smoker, the only thing I smell is the aroma of dinner on the stove.
But if there’s toxic air on the street corner (you know, gasoline and diesel exhaust) and there are factories and smokestacks belching their toxic brew into the air, you can bet that at the very least, low concentrations are making it into your home. Depending upon where you live, you potentially have high concentrations getting into your living space.
Why does it matter? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Examples of toxic air pollutants include benzene, which is found in gasoline; perchlorethlyene, which is emitted from some dry cleaning facilities; and methylene chloride, which is used as a solvent and paint stripper by a number of industries. Examples of other listed air toxics include dioxin, asbestos, toluene, and metals such as cadmium, mercury, chromium, and lead compounds.
Yes, and? The EPA website further states:
People exposed to toxic air pollutants at sufficient concentrations and durations may have an increased chance of getting cancer or experiencing other serious health effects. These health effects can include damage to the immune system, as well as neurological, reproductive (e.g., reduced fertility), developmental, respiratory and other health problems.
So how do I protect myself? Buy an air purifier/filter. Certainly, most, if not all air conditioners have filters already. But some of us do not use those, they do not run year-round (and if you don’t have forced air heating, you lack a filtration system altogether in the colder months), and mostly, they’re insufficient.
Buy a HEPA (that’s high-efficiency particulate air) filter. I own two Holmes brand (look for an upcoming product review here on Healthascope) air purifiers. They have active carbon filters to remove larger dust and odors covering a certified HEPA filter (actually my systems have 3 such setups) to remove environmental toxins from my air.
Certainly there is a huge difference in the amount of dust in the air in my apartment, but also, I notice that when I clean my floors, there is only some dust, food crumbs, and maybe hair (okay, and woodchips from the guinea pigs, but don’t tell my landlord). Prior to purchasing the air purifiers, there was visible black settled soot on our floors (I live in a city).
But even rural areas are getting pollution from their own auto and factory pollution, and don’t forget the toxins put into the air by many of our nation’s farms. The air from developing nations also moves, so suffice it to say we all get our daily dose.
This is not meant to be alarmist. Our air is not so dirty that we cannot go outside. But to avoid the possible diseases from toxins in our air, one of the best options for your home is a HEPA-rated air filter. Cost is usually $100 and up for a unit and maybe $50 to $100 per year for new filters (depending upon the number of units you decide to purchase).
This is money and effort well spent on something that ensures healthier lungs and body overall. Protect yourself and your family from the toxic chemicals that can make it into your home, and improve your health outlook today!
Related posts:
- New Series: Protect U This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series...
- California Lists 30 More Toxic Chemicals This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series...
- Coal: Even Dirtier Than You Thought! This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series...
